Four years ago, Natchez High School boys basketball coach David Haywood noticed an unfamiliar, out of shape ninth grader roaming the campus grounds.

The then-Natchez assistant coach approached the then-Bulldogs head basketball coach Michael Martin about the prospect.

“I told (Martin) that there was a kid on campus and I think that we need to get him out for basketball,” Haywood said.

Haywood’s hunch turned out to be a good call.

Over the past few years, Haywood has helped mold Larry Griffin into a 6-foot-5 lean and destructive inside force for the Bulldogs basketball team.

“He has accepted everything that I’ve asked him to do,” Haywood said. “He’s changed his body from going from soft to muscular. He’s loving it.”

In his senior season, Griffin has averaged nearly 14 points per game to go along with 14 rebounds in serving as the Bulldogs’ force in the middle.

Griffin, whose first love was football, said his transition to the hardwood was a seamless one.

“Growing up, I didn’t really like basketball,” he said. “I didn’t want to be on the basketball team at first. But my brother (Rayshuron Griffin) played basketball, and I idolized him, so I started playing, and I let football fall to the wayside.”

Griffin utilizes a controlled aggression with his long wingspan to swat away opposing shots, corralling rebounds and ultimately serving as a dominant force inside for Natchez.

“I like the inside,” he said. “I like posting people up, dominating on somebody. I like driving and dishing the ball.”

Haywood, however, said Griffin’s impact goes well beyond just game days. The second-year coach said Natchez in years past has suffered from a lack of physical leadership, but his senior center has risen to the challenge this season.

“He’s showing (the younger players) that you have to work to get better,” Haywood said. “If you would have seen him in the ninth grade, he was probably 50 pounds heavier than what he is now.

“He brings his work boots every day. Some days, you’re not going to feel good, and some days you’re going to feel great. But one thing about it, you have to be consistent in your effort, and he brings his effort every day.”

As one of just a handful of seniors on the Bulldogs roster, Griffin said it’s his responsibility to demonstrate to the younger players the proper way to practice and prepare for games.

“I’m just trying to lead those guys in the right way,” Griffin said. “I know we have to focus on the serious things. I like to help get us in the right mindset for practice.”

Haywood said Griffin has received interest from several college coaches and thinks he has strong potential at the next level at either forward position.

“He’s just really starting to blossom in becoming the basketball player that he can be,” Haywood said. “He’s got a lot of potential. Anytime competition is there, he meets the challenge. I’m real proud of him.”

Griffin and the Bulldogs will be back in action today when it hosts rival Jefferson County High School.

Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.